Panelists replies:

Like problem 2, an early middle-game position which actually tempted
some panelists to express an opinion on who is winning - though not with
complete agreement!

Roads: "I prefer White's position here, perhaps because I am an
inveterate
san-ren-sei[5] (three star points in a row) player."

Daly: "Another amateur game, as can be seen from White's poor
combination of sequences on the lower side. The joseki (opening) in the
lower right gives up a large corner in return for influence, which has
however been nullified by Black's group in the lower centre.
The left side looks impressive, but will never be enough. Worst of all,
it is Black's move."

Smith: "The urgent area appears to be the upper side, where there
are four single stones. However Black must first check the consequences
of a white attack on the lower side. White can start with I, as in Dia
X10 after which an all-out attack suggests J. Black can break through
this position without consolidating White's left side too much, though
Black's group would still be subject to attack."

All the panelists make similar remarks - Black has to choose between
strengthening his group at the bottom and playing at the top first.

Just how weak is Black's group?

Daly: "It is difficult for white to attack Black's group,
because the cut at K (which doesn't work at the moment) will be a
constant worry."

Nonetheless some of the panel prefer to defend anyway.

Rickard: "The black group at the bottom has no clear eyes and is
surrounded by white influence; it seems urgent to reinforce it. However
the moves running into the centre all either seem to leave weaknesses
that let white force black into bad shape, or seem to be too slow."

"I therefore feel inclined to find some white weakness to use as
a lever to settle myself. L aims at both K and O; the latter forces
white to grovel on the edge while strengthening black in the centre...
The single stones at the top are light, so should be able to look after
themselves; the bottom is much more important."

Bates: "Black can afford to take the time to strengthen his
central group. He should eschew violence such as N. Instead play a shape
move like L, seeking to strengthen his group in sente and clarify
White's weaknesses (yose-miru strategy), then play on the left side -
either A or H."

Ansell: "As the cut at K does not work, best for black is to
threaten the cut. L not only does this, but also threatens O or P. White
does best to reply at Q, allowing black to cut at K."

To me the move L is aji-keshi (erasing your potential), since it
removes the possibility of a black cut at K, and does not do much to
strengthen Black's group - the white combination of M and J destroy its
shape.

Roads wants to play M at the bottom, for similar reasons, but the
best move is surely that found by Macfadyen:
"If Black decides to play at the bottom he should play as in Dia 9.
White is deprived of all his territory and black 7 in sente is nice.
However Black actually ends in gote, so this is no good as yet. The most
likely result at the bottom is that White will exchange M for J, which
is bad for him, but patches things up in sente."

As far as the top of the board is concerned, various approaches were
suggested.

Roads: "The white stone upper right is a kikashi (forcing) stone
and not worth attacking unless on a large scale. So how about E, doing
just that. However, bearing in mind White's possible kikashi at I, G is
perhaps a better point to start with at the top. If White protects the
top left corner, Black can attack both White stones on a large scale,
and there is still the invasion at H to try."

Macfadyen: "Black has many ways to play at the top. The most
straightforward line is to invadethe corner as in Dia 10. Black gets the
left corner and White seems obliged to try for a big side with 10 and
12. However the side is full of holes, and Black has plenty of time to
play 13, almost completing his own side and waiting to decide whether to
reduce or invade the top."

"Black can also play E and fight it out at the top, but Black
should simplify the game rather than start a fight, as he is so clearly
ahead."

Daly: " Black O is possible, but E is simple and best. White
must concede either F or D to Black and is clearly lost."

In my view, any of the moves A, B and E are reasonable. When the
position arose in one of my games I actually played C (to which I have
given a sentimental consolation award) in order to solidify my corner
and strengthen my stone. White was then able to take the initiative in the
top left, but my position remained very playable.

This article is from the
British Go Journal
Issue 64[1]
which is one of a series[6] of back issues now available on the web.

Last updated Wed Jan 02 2013. If you have any comments, please email the webmaster on web-master AT britgo DOT org.